Begonia plant named ‘Bbsirius’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct begonia plant with red colored flowers.

Varietal denomination: ‘Bbsirius’.

Botanical classification: Begonia elatior (Begonia).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Begoniaelatior known by the varietal name ‘Bbsirius’. The new variety wasdiscovered in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands, in 1998. The new variety is aproduct of a planned breeding program and is a cross of an unnamed,unpatented variety of Begonia tuberosa (female) and an unnamed,unpatented variety of Begonia socotrana (male). The breeding program isdirected to establishing various phenotype characteristics. The newvariety differs in its flower color and its double flowers as comparedto its parents. The new variety was first asexually reproduced bycuttings in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. The new variety has been trialand field tested and has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.

The new variety, when grown in a glass greenhouse has a response timefor rooting from a terminal cutting of 14-18 days.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions by cuttings in a controlledgreenhouse environment. Plants for the description were two (2) yearsold. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

Form: Upright.

Growth: Moderate.

Time to initiate roots: About 14-18 days.

Time to develop roots: 30 days.

Rooting habit: Fine, fibrous, well-branched.

Height: 30 cm from the media surface to the top of the leaf plane.

Width: 40 cm.

Internode length: 1.0-1.5 cm.

Lateral branches:

Number.—4-5.

Length.—1.0-1.5 cm.

Leaves:

Arrangement.—Alternate.

Shape.—Rounded.

Size.—4-6 cm long; 5-6 cm wide.

Quantity.—5-6 per lateral branch.

Petiole.—4-5 cm long; 5 mm diameter; 143B.

Stipules.—1 cm.

Margin.—Irregular; serrated.

Texture.—Smooth; shiny and leathery.

Color.—Upper Surface: 131A. Lower Surface: 135B.

Venation.—Pattern: Palmate. Color: 138B.

FLOWERS

Habit: Continuous flowering.

Shape: Rounded.

Aspect: Flat to cupped.

Size: 5-6 cm in diameter; 1-1.5 cm deep.

Fragrance: None.

Flower buds:

Length.—2.5 cm.

Width.—2.0 cm.

Size.—2-3 cm long; 2.5 cm wide.

Color.—50B.

Rate of flower opening.—3 days.

Petals:

Arrangement.—Double.

Shape.—Oval.

Margin.—Entire with irregularities.

Quantity.—15-20 per flower.

Size.—2.5 cm long; 4 cm wide.

Texture.—Smooth.

Color.—57B, both surfaces.

Peduncles:

Angle.—Mostly erect.

Strength.—Strong.

Length.—3.0-3.5 cm.

Color.—47A.

Pedicels:

Angle.—About 30 to 45° from vertical.

Strength.—Strong.

Length.—3.0-3.5 cm.

Color.—50B.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens: None observed.

Pistils: None observed.

Disease resistance: Mildew tolerant.

Seed production: Seed production has not been observed as reproductiveorgans are not formed.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of begonia plant substantially asshown and described.